With just over 10,000 miles on the clock, our long-term Mazda 3 hatchback is a quarter of the way through its test, and it’s racking up praise at a significant pace. Drama-free to live with yet lively behind the wheel, the little Mazda made it through winter’s worst (at least we hope it’s over) and is ready for some warm months of travel and driving fun.

A Faithful Steed

The Michelin X-Ice winter tires we fitted in the fall helped the 3 slog through Michigan’s yearly helping of white stuff without injury, with our only out-of-pocket costs so far being the car’s scheduled 5,000-mile and 10,000-mile services. Total: $87, with each appointment including an oil and filter change, tire rotation, and vehicle inspection.

Overall fuel economy remains a solid 24 mpg, and the Mazda is proving to be a welcome and trouble-free companion on longer trips. We are, however, looking forward to taking the five-door on adventures lengthier than the several Ann Arbor-to-Chicago runs it has under its belt. The healthy 43 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded should accommodate plenty of supplies for a quick blast to the West Coast or a camping trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Nit-Picking

It’s been a struggle so far to find any major fault with the vehicle. A few of us still aren’t sold on the styling and the small navigation screen, and some of the more recent criticisms center on the 3’s somewhat tight back seat for adults and general shortage of storage cubbies—the lack of secure and convenient storage for iPhones and such, to be exact. Yeah, we’re stretching.

But most of the comments in the logbook continue to commend the 3’s surprisingly playful demeanor. The clutch and the six-speed shifter in particular have been called out for their light, smooth action, both of which make the long commutes of some editors to the office much easier. Even with the snow tires fitted, the 3 tracks smoothly, with quick yet predictable responses. “So quiet and refined on the highway,” read one logbook entry, “I forgot I wasn’t driving a German car.” Others, however, disagree, citing the more premium-feeling Volkswagen Golf as their preference in this class. Fortunately, we have 30,000 additional miles with the 3 before a final verdict is rendered.

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*AccuPayment estimates payments under various scenarios for budgeting and informational purposes only. AccuPayment does not state credit or lease terms that are available from a creditor or lessor, and AccuPayment is not an offer or promotion of a credit or lease transaction.

*AccuPayment estimates payments under various scenarios for budgeting and informational purposes only. AccuPayment does not state credit or lease terms that are available from a creditor or lessor, and AccuPayment is not an offer or promotion of a credit or lease transaction.